Arts Council plans monthly events at Willmore Lodge

Drawing on the mission statement “To serve, educate and enrich the community through the Arts,” the Lake Arts Council is teaming up with Willmore Lodge to create a new art series.

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The Lake News Online

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Posted Apr. 24, 2013 at 10:41 AM
Updated Apr 24, 2013 at 10:45 AM

Posted Apr 24, 2013 at 10:41 AM
Updated Apr 24, 2013 at 10:45 AM

Lake Ozark

Drawing on the mission statement “To serve, educate and enrich the community through the Arts,” the Lake Arts Council is teaming up with Willmore Lodge to create a new art series. Each month — usually the first Thursday — an event is being planned at this historical building overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks. Willmore Lodge, located at, 1 Willmore Lane in Lake Ozark, was built in 1930 by the Union Electric Company of St. Louis as an administrative building and to house dignitaries visiting the Bagnell Dam project. The rustic log cabin currently is home to the Lake Ozark Chamber of Commerce and the interactive Bagnell Dam History Museum.

The Lake Arts Council will hold its first art event on May 2 in this lovely venue overlooking the water, hosting a wine and cheese reception to honor two local artists, painter Bob Silverson and photographer David Dilks. Both men currently serve as President of a Lake Arts Council Umbrella Group, and both are nominees of the Lake Lifestyles magazine “Best of the Lake” contest in their respective categories.

Bob Silverson is President of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society. This impressive national organization was organized in Osage Beach in 1990 with the purpose of providing a national forum and standard of excellence in which artists could fully express the media of oil and acrylic on canvas and panel. The objective is the national annual juried art exhibition and competition. “The Best of America 2013” exhibit will be held during the month of October at the Vine Gallery in Osage Beach.

Silverson, who moved to the lake area from Iowa with his wife Lisa, spent many of his childhood years in Florida. He describes himself as a beach bum, a dominant theme in his collection of paintings. He started painting at the age of six when his grandmother gave him a paint set. By the age of 16 he was doing commercial art for several radio and television stations. At 17, he was asked to paint a portrait for a bill board company. That project launched a long and productive career in commercial art. He recently has reconnected with fine art, which he describes as his real passion.

“I love to paint,” says Silverson, “It is what moves me, and I enjoy watching other people getting swept up in the emotion along the way.”

In his role as President of the Lake Area Camera Club, David Dilks leads monthly camera workshops at the Lake Arts Council office as well as monthly meetings at the Osage Beach Branch of the Central Bank. “I welcome the connection with other photographers from hobbyists to professionals, and enjoy the opportunity to teach and mentor anyone who wants to learn,” says Dilks.

After receiving a degree in photography from the Kansas City Art Institute, Dilks worked as a free lance and commercial photographer in the Kansas City area for many years. Shortly after moving to the lake he developed a Facebook page known as Lake Shots. On this site he posted many captured images of wildlife, lake life, sporting events and local events. He has very generously donated his photography skills to many local charities, including the Help Portrait Program conducted by the Lake Area Camera Club for the past two years. He has developed his own personal charity in which he offers free “senior photos” to the most needy area seniors.

Page 2 of 2 - The reception to honor and recognize these two exceptionally talented and generous artists will be held on Thursday, May 2, beginning at 5 p.m. and running until 7 p.m. They will be present to visit with and answer questions about their art.

You may also want to browse around the venue, the museum and visit the beautiful grounds. Donations to the Lake Arts Council will be greatly appreciated.